Speeches

Transatlantic Conference
Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr.

Berlin
July 4, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to be here today because this is the right time and the right place to discuss the future of the transatlantic partnership. We are proud that so many organizations both in Berlin and around the country have organized special programs and events to help us celebrate our Independence Day and commemorate the opening of our new embassy on Pariser Platz. And I would like to thank the Maleki Group, the FAZ, and BDI for supporting this important conference.

This is a key moment in the ongoing story of what has been called the biggest success story of modern diplomacy -- the creation of a free, democratic, and prosperous Germany. The new U.S. Embassy represents the completion of Pariser Platz in the center of a reunited Berlin. It is a German, and an American, dream fulfilled.

It is important to recall the milestones in our relationship that brought us to this important juncture in time. For example, last month, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the currency reform, which launched Germany’s social market economy and enabled the future Federal Republic to take part in the Marshall Plan.

We also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Airlift, the largest air supply operation in history and a decisive step in creating a bridge of friendship and solidarity between Americans and Germans.

But this conference is also important because it addresses the present and future of the transatlantic relationship.

I personally believe that people on both sides of the Atlantic are not aware of the enormous impact that reunification has had on the German-American relationship. Our two countries have moved closer to each other since the end of the Cold War.

Our partnership is richer, more diverse and more productive than at any time in the past. To cite one example, German investment in the U.S. is roughly seven times what it was when the Wall fell.

U.S. investment in Germany has more than tripled, and the United States is the top investor in the former eastern states.

Another consequence of the transatlantic partnership has been freedom, prosperity and peace for millions of people in Europe. But more important, today our relationship is not just about Europe; it's about what we do together in the world. It has the potential and the momentum to bring freedom, prosperity and peace to people around the world.

Our keynote speakers this morning are eminently qualified to speak on the geopolitical challenges -- and opportunities -- facing the transatlantic partnership.

Dr. Kissinger, as Richard Nixon's National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, was the man who brought about détente with the Soviet Union, and opened the way to Nixon's visit to China.

With his famous "shuttle diplomacy" after the 1973 Yom Kippur war, he brokered the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. He was the secret negotiator at the Paris peace talks that ended the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize. His countless articles and books on diplomacy have established him as a world-renowned thinker on international relations and security policy.

For his part, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has worked closely with Chancellor Merkel to implement a language of common purpose in transatlantic relations. He has consistently supported the concept of a strong Europe, which in partnership with America is the reality of our cooperation today. Germany has provided the impetus and the momentum that has pulled the transatlantic community together to face the serious common challenges of the 21st century. It is very appropriate that it is Germany, for so long the focal point of American foreign policy strategy that is driving Europe's policies about how we act together in the world, from Afghanistan and Iran to the environment and third world development.

That too is part of what we will be celebrating later today at the Brandenburg Gate as we officially open our new embassy and open a new chapter in the unique story of postwar German-American cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for your continuing commitment to our partnership.